Houthi Attack Wrecks Lebanese Ship in Bab el-Mandeb Strait

A Yemeni Houthi rebel attack targeted a Belize-flagged, Lebanese-managed cargo vessel navigating through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, causing significant damage. This incident led to the crew evacuating the ship for safety. The Houthi group, supported by Iran, also claimed to have downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, a claim not immediately confirmed by U.S. forces, though such drones have been targeted by Houthis in the past.

Concurrently, the U.S. military announced it executed airstrikes against Houthi forces, notably targeting an underwater drone operated by the Houthis. This marked the group’s first use of such a device amidst their ongoing assaults on international maritime traffic since November, spurred by Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The attacked cargo ship, identified as the Rubymar, was journeying to Bulgaria from the UAE. It sustained severe damage from the explosion, which brought the vessel to a halt, with the Houthi military spokesperson confirming their aim for the crew’s safe evacuation.

Since November, Houthi rebels have escalated their maritime assaults, endangering ships in crucial trading routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. These attacks have not only targeted vessels with indirect connections to Israel but also those linked to Iran, highlighting the broader implications of the conflict on regional and international shipping security.